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Interpreters in China中国口译员 奥巴马胜选演说·文言版Hello，Chicago!
芝城父老，别来无恙， If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. 余尝闻世人有疑，不知当今美利坚凡事皆可成就耶？开国先贤之志方岿然于世耶？民主之伟力不减于昔年耶？凡存诸疑者，今夕当可释然。 It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference. 今夕之释然，皆蒙美利坚民众之协力——学塾祠庙之外，市井乡野之间，万千父老心焦似焚，苦待竟日，愿献一票之力。其中，平生未尝涉国事者，数亦不少，而今有此义举，皆因一念不衰——今夫天下，非同既往，愿发吁天之声，必成动地之势。 It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America. 今夕之释然，皆仰吾国同胞之齐心——何谈贫富老幼之差、党社宗族之异，惶论发肤肌体之别、志趣爱恶之分。吾国既以“合众”为名，吾辈则更无疏离之意，红蓝二党并肩而立，数十邦州挽手相合，无分你我，共称一家，昂然于世，齐声一呼，天下乃有此释然。 It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. 今夕之释然，皆因愤懑者之镇静，忧惧者之勇气，犹疑者之笃定——平素世间种种，消磨其志向，溃灭其梦想，而值此风云之际，除旧更新，当仁不让，倾力而动乾坤者，更何人哉！ It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America. 俟之诚久，其志弥坚。幸天地明察，乃有今日，乃有此刻，乃有此一选举，乃有我亿万美利坚大好国民——吾邦之大变革，方得自兹而始也！ A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain. Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they’ve achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead. 顷接参议员麦君凯恩电，虽未得晤，幸有一谈，其言谆谆，其意诚诚，鄙人感佩之至。选战期内，麦君劳碌几重，奔波几许，皆为国家计。诸般求索，时日良多，皆非余所能及。于国于民之惊人牺牲，亦非庸庸如吾辈者所可想见。以麦君之胆魄襟怀，能为吾邦所用，实国家之幸，万民之幸也。前途漫漫，其事未竟，余所盼瞩由衷者，唯共麦凯恩君、佩林君，及诸贤士比肩，会吾等之绵力，成吾邦之大业。 I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. 乔君拜登，亦吾所感铭至深者也。竞选之业，艰险不足与外人道，幸有乔君之辅佐，其诚天可鉴之。乔君其人，素言恳辞切，意笃情真，盖尝经斯兰克顿街乡邻之提命，饱聆特拉华州父老之晤教也。他日余既登总统之位，乔君必当副之。 And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady Michelle Obama. 拙荆米氏，追随鄙人凡一十六年，既为爱侣，更为挚友，既为吾阖家之基石，又乃余终生之至爱。鄙人尝自忖度，倘无贤妻若此，今朝阔论高谈于此处者，不知何人矣！ Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the new White House. 小女萨沙、玛丽，余素深喜之。昔日为父尝与汝等言，此番选战若得一胜，愿购小犬一头相赠，待阖家乔迁总统府邸之日，偕汝等同进吾宅。今当胜负已出，既有一诺在前，必自践行不欺也。 And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. 祖母大人虽已仙逝，料必有灵在天，俯察人寰，想应颔首开颜矣。吾奥巴马氏列祖列宗，亦当如是。今日今时，此情此景，鄙人追思之心，乌鸟之情，曷其有极！唯生死陌路，仙凡有别，虽怀反哺之心，而无答报之门也！ To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them. 至若玛雅、艾玛二姐妹，以及吾家诸同胞，所惠我者，亦属良多，久沐恩德，此当拜谢。 And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best — the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who’s been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done. 大卫•普劳夫君，大卫•阿克塞罗德君，一为鄙人竞选事务之经理，一为鄙人国事韬略之智囊。余尝自喟叹，左右谋士，余所仰赖者，皆亘古未见之贤才。普阿二君，则更此中之翘楚。区区不才，有何德能，可得膀臂若此？当此功成之际，感荷之心，亦自拳拳。 But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you. 至于鄙人铭之肺腑，须臾不敢忘怀者，则诸位也。盖今日鄙人之胜绩，实诸位之胜绩，鄙人之荣光，实诸位之荣光！ I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause. 余素朴陋，虽有参选之心，并无必胜之志。谋事之初，银资乏匮，从者寥寥；起事之地，皆蔽寓荒斋，不在高阁；成事之基，无非寻常百姓，涓滴之献。 It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep. It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth. 今日之胜，有赖一众热血青年，抛其家，别其室，不辞其苦，不计其酬，矻矻于此——“国中青年爱国之心已泯”之谬论，今可休矣！今日之胜，有赖壮志未已之诸前辈，无惧寒暑，行走奔波，劝说民众。今日之胜，乃数百万美利坚民众之胜，察其意，皆属踊跃为国，观其行，处处谨严有序，足堪告慰二百年前开国之先贤——民有、民治、民享之政体，未尝动摇也！ This is your victory. 嗟夫！此实诸位之功也！ And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. 余知诸君之意非在此一选举，亦非在鄙人一身。盖瞻前路之艰辛，益知此任非同小可也。虽今夕欢贺于此，而明朝酒醒，大患仍自当前，不容有怠——两地烽烟熊熊而起，四海之内纷纷而乱，金融业界惶惶而不得宁。 Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education. There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair. 是夜，饮宴笙歌之声不绝于耳，而异邦大漠群山中，吾国大好青年，兀自苦戍边塞，惝恍竟夜，性命尚未得安。吾国千万庶民，为人父母者，兀自惴惴难眠，所忧者，乃房宅所贷、病患之费、抚育之资也。至若吾国能源之耗，百业之兴，庠序之教，攻伐之术，怀远之道，亦皆吾等忡忡挂怀者也。 The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there. 渺渺乎其远，如不可达，危危乎其高，若不可攀。朝夕岁月，焉得成就？余不揣愚钝，愿以四载韶华，付诸此业，胜算何如虽不可知，然昂扬必胜之奇志，成就伟业之壮怀，平生未之有也。君子一诺，其重何如，此地今夕，愿斗胆发一狂言——吾辈既在，其事必成！ There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. 逶迤坎坷，份内之事。异见争端，料必有之。国中之政府，谅非无所不能者。余所秉承不移者，唯忠信矣。倘有危难于前，必无欺瞒于世。诸君言论臧否，纵悖逆相左之议，余必当洗耳以聆。于此之外，更当恳请诸君，不吝心血，致力报效，以振吾美利坚重兴之业。余亦别无他想，唯盼吾侪协力，延继吾国既肇二百二十一年之大统，汇涓滴之力，而成万世之业。 What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. 昔年冬日，余有志于斯，投身此业，屈指算来，倏然近二载矣。当此秋夜，追思反省，仍无溃退逃亡之意。选战之胜，无非一役之功，余梦寐所思矢志所求者，非在乎此。溯源究本，此役之胜，不过革世变时一大好良机耳。倘止步于斯，垂手而待，或无诸君倾力相援，则壮志丰功，无非泡影，诸般梦想，终必虚妄。 So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other. Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. 爱国之心，报国之念，吾人固有之，然逢今日之世，此心此念亦当一变——吾辈各执己业，益当各竭其力，各尽其命，非但为一己之利，而更期普世之荣。今岁，金融业界动荡多舛，细审观之，当可以之为鉴——实业之损，亦是金融之伤。可知，既在邦域之内，吾辈荣辱休戚，皆相与共矣！ Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let’s remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share. 党争纷纭，阴谋卑鄙，愚鲁无知，皆腐蚀清白、惑乱政局之弊也，其缘由已久，余今愿与诸君协力，共灭除之。昔年曾有此郡先贤，执共和党之帜，而掌总统府之权。自强独立，自由统一等信念，皆斯人之所倡，亦吾辈之所宗。 And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. 今岁选战，吾民主党人幸有一胜，然谦逊和合之心未尝少减。余素信服者，乃山河破碎之际，林肯总统之言——“既是至亲，终不为敌。虽弩张剑拔，而血脉未尝断，情义不少减。” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too. 固然，仍有四方志士，不为鄙人所动，另有高明之选。虽终悭此一票之缘，然诸君高论，余亦声声在耳，字字在心。倘能得诸君之援手，鄙人幸甚。他日待余总而统之，亦必不另眼以待也。 And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. 吾邦民众，散居天下，各安其命，而其志一也。吾邦鼎盛之势，今已乍现锋芒。 To those — to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. 至于心怀叵测，与世人为仇、与天下为敌者，吾邦猛志常在，彼等必取灭亡。心思纯良，久慕大同者，吾辈当倾力以助，鼎力相援。犹疑未定，不知吾自由之邦兴衰如何者，吾辈愿以今日盛况以告之——美利坚之所以谓之“美”者，非刀兵之强，金银之众，实民主、自由、机遇、梦想之美也！ That’s the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. 天自有道，地自有德，恩赋吾邦无上异禀——无他，唯变而已矣。美利坚变革不怠，合众国日趋尽善。当以过往先贤之伟绩，助吾侪今日之雄心，开子孙万世之辉光。 This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight’s about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. 今岁选战，多开亘古之先，屡传千秋佳话。感我至深者，亚特兰大之老妪安•尼克松•库帕也——库氏之一票，于数百万美利坚民众之选票无异，其所以引人称奇者，其人今岁高龄一百有六矣。 She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. 当其父辈之时，天道不彰，黑人为奴。库氏其生也不逢时，汽车尚不行于道，飞机未曾起于空，库氏既属黑人，又系女流，票选一事，概无瓜葛。 And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. 今日今时，回溯库氏百岁之涯，但见吾邦先贤屡败屡战，且退且进，悲欣交集，甘苦杂陈。幸而正道存焉，壮志存焉，曰：吾辈既在，无所不能。 At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. 万马齐喑，其事堪哀，吾邦女界怒而起，愤而争，苦战不歇，历数十载。幸哉库氏，以百岁之高龄，终得亲见女流自立于世，重获天赋之权——吾辈既在，无所不能！ When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. 当百业萧条，国人绝望哀鸣之际，库氏亲见吾美利坚出旷世之新政，挽狂澜于既倒，扶大厦之将倾，退畏惧之势，扶奋勇之心，终至人各有位，民心乃安——吾辈既在，无所不能！ When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. 当吾国良港遭袭，天下桀纣当道，暴政肆虐之时，库氏亲见豪杰群起，民主不衰——吾辈既在，无所不能！ She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can. 蒙哥马利公车之罢辍，伯明翰城黑人之群起，塞尔玛城血雨腥风之事，库氏般般亲历。更曾亲聆亚特兰大传教之士振臂登高之呼——“吾等必胜！”诚哉斯言！吾辈既在，无所不能！ A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. 俟科学昌明于世，创想通贯一时，既登广寒之阙，又溃柏林之墙。洋洋乎！有百年如是，乃见今岁选战中，库氏之一票。浩浩兮！一百零六载交锋更迭，方有美利坚今日之变革——吾辈既在，无所不能！ America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? 转眼兴亡过手，而今迈步从头。追昔抚今，不禁扪心而问——俟再历百年岁月，倘吾等后辈儿孙，亦有得享高寿如库氏者，复可见何等之变数？吾辈今日之功，他年可得而见之乎？ This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. 所谓天命时运，莫过于此——当为吾邦万民造安身立命之业，为吾辈儿孙启各显雄才之门，为寰宇各国创太平静好之世，为吾等壮志赋千秋不灭之元神。吾邦立国之本，必将光耀于天下。万千同胞，当如一人，一息尚存，梦想不灭。纵有世人旁观在侧，而疑窦生焉，吾辈亦当以千秋不易之训共答之曰——吾辈既在，无所不能！ Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. 拜谢诸君。愿天佑吾民，天佑吾邦。 10 (More) Reasons You're Not RichThe list of reasons you may not be rich doesn't end at 10. Caring what your neighbors think, not being patient, having bad habits, not having goals, not being prepared, trying to make a quick buck, relying on others to handle your money, investing in things you don't understand, being financially afraid and ignoring your finances.
Here are 10 more possible reasons you aren't rich: You care what your car looks like: A car is a means of transportation to get from one place to another, but many people don't view it that way. Instead, they consider it a reflection of themselves and spend money every two years or so to impress others instead of driving the car for its entire useful life and investing the money saved. You feel entitlement: If you believe you deserve to live a certain lifestyle, have certain things and spend a certain amount before you have earned to live that way, you will have to borrow money. That large chunk of debt will keep you from building wealth. You lack diversification: There is a reason one of the oldest pieces of financial advice is to not keep all your eggs in a single basket. Having a diversified investment portfolio makes it much less likely that wealth will suddenly disappear.
You started too late: The magic of compound interest works best over long periods of time. If you find you're always saying there will be time to save and invest in a couple more years, you'll wake up one day to find retirement is just around the corner and there is still nothing in your retirement account.Many people assume they aren't rich because they don't earn enough money. If I only earned a little more, I could save and invest better, they say.
The problem with that theory is they were probably making exactly the same argument before their last several raises. Becoming a millionaire has less to do with how much you make, it's how you treat money in your daily life. You don't do what you enjoy: While your job doesn't necessarily need to be your dream job, you need to enjoy it. If you choose a job you don't like just for the money, you'll likely spend all that extra cash trying to relieve the stress of doing work you hate.
You don't like to learn: You may have assumed that once you graduated from college, there was no need to study or learn. That attitude might be enough to get you your first job or keep you employed, but it will never make you rich. A willingness to learn to improve your career and finances are essential if you want to eventually become wealthy. You buy things you don't use: Take a look around your house, in the closets, basement, attic and garage and see if there are a lot of things you haven't used in the past year. If there are, chances are that all those things you purchased were wasted money that could have been used to increase your net worth. You don't understand value: You buy things for any number of reasons besides the value that the purchase brings to you. This is not limited to those who feel the need to buy the most expensive items, but can also apply to those who always purchase the cheapest goods. Rarely are either the best value, and it's only when you learn to purchase good value that you have money left over to invest for your future. Your house is too big: When you buy a house that is bigger than you can afford or need, you end up spending extra money on longer debt payments, increased taxes, higher upkeep and more things to fill it. Some people will try to argue that the increased value of the house makes it a good investment, but the truth is that unless you are willing to downgrade your living standards, which most people are not, it will never be a liquid asset or money that you can ever use and enjoy.
You fail to take advantage of opportunities: There has probably been more than one occasion where you heard about someone who has made it big and thought to yourself, "I could have thought of that." There are plenty of opportunities if you have the will and determination to keep your eyes open. How to work with interpretersGive the interpreter the time and materials they need to prepare Every company and industry has its own specialized set of language, terms and even jargon. Interpreters may not necessarily be familiar with this before working with your company. Make sure that interpreters are given a selection of printed materials in both languages that they can study prior to any event. The more specific these materials are to the substance of your speech or discussion the better. Technical materials can be especially important. Where possible, give them complete text of speeches and press announcements in advance. Even if you advise them to translate as actually delivered, the materials will help them prepare and provide the best possible translation. It is also a good idea to meet with interpreters for a few minutes prior to an event so they can get an idea of your accent and rhythms of speech and ask any questions they may have. Find two or three interpreters you like and stick with them where possible Once an interpreter is used to your company, style and language, it will be much easier for them to prepare for subsequent events and deliver solid results. Where possible, groom a pool of two or three interpreters over time so you have multiple options handy. Budget for time when using consecutive interpretation A forty minute speaking slot with consecutive interpretation leaves time for a twenty-minute speech. A Twenty minute Q&A with consecutive interpretation is really a ten-minute Q&A. And so on. Plan accordingly, especially when deciding how much time to allow for media or audience questions. Understand the differences between consecutive and simultaneous interpretation There are two kinds of interpretation, consecutive and simultaneous. Consecutive interpretation is where you say something and then wait while an interpreter nearby repeats it. Simultaneous interpretation (“UN-style”) is where you say something and it is translated simultaneously by an interpreter in a soundproof booth, who can be heard over headsets worn by audience members. Both are commonly used in China. Both have the same demands for preparation and familiarity. Simultaneous interpretation is more expensive, technically demanding and often a little less accurate (no do-overs or correction). It does, however, preserve the flow of a speech or presentation as a speaker need not wait for interpretation to catch up. Consecutive interpretation is cheaper, more flexible and forgiving. It does force a speaker to pace themselves, however. In general consecutive translation is used for smaller or more intimate events or where budget or technical constraints make simultaneous interpretation impractical. It is also often a better choice when translation has to be particularly accurate. Simultaneous interpretation is generally better for large events and mixed audiences where interpretation has to go in both directions, and where time constraints make consecutive interpretation impractical. It is also the only choice when something needs to be translated into multiple languages for an audience. When dealing with consecutive interpretation, mind your pacing Enthusiastic executives sometimes forget about the interpretation and ramble on. Stay mindful of the interpreter and keep each statement to a paragraph or a few sentences. Pacing is valuable not only for the interpreter but also for the audience. Remember that some or all of them can’t understand you. If they have to wait too long for the interpretation their attention may begin to wander. There is no hard and fast rule for how often to break. A greeting can be interpreted after one sentence. A complex chain of thought might go on for one or two minutes. Look for subject or pace changes as natural breaking points, and discuss it with your interpreter beforehand if possible. Don’t err too far on the side of caution and speak one sentence at a time. An interpreter will often require a few sentences for context in order to provide an accurate translation. While pacing for translation can feel like it disrupts the flow of a speech or presentation, you can rapidly grow accustomed to it. You do have room for flexibility. A good interpreter who takes careful notes can listen for quite a long period of time and still capture what you are saying. Nevertheless, until you know an interpreter’s capabilities it’s a good idea to keep each statement relatively short. If you are working from a prepared text, mark potential break points in advance. While a good interpreter can follow natural speech comfortably, make sure your pace stays measured. If you are delivering particularly technical or complex messages, ensure that you give the interpreter a little extra space to work with. It may not be a good idea to have someone from inside your company interpret Good interpreters are trained and experienced. Interpreting well requires more than simply knowing both languages; it also requires a systematic approach to note taking, capturing key points and preserving the essence of meaning in statements and idioms that may not cross cultures. Also, while someone from inside your company may know your terminology well, they may either forget they are interpreting (we have seen this happen) or introduce their own biases into interpretation. They may also not have the note-taking rigor of a trained interpreter. There may be times when it makes sense to have an employee or PR consultant translate, such as in particularly sensitive or confidential situations, or in informal situations where the discussion is casual or brief. But most of the time a professional interpreter will be the best choice. Don’t be surprised if the interpretation isn’t totally exact Interpretation is an inexact science, especially as it is a “live” process. An interpreter at an event, who can see facial expressions and sense the atmosphere of an event, might translate differently than someone working from a written transcript of an event. Fast speakers may also find that details get filtered out in favor of key points. Good interpretation carries the facts and essential tone of a speaker’s message. It may not capture specific phrases or even the exact arrangement of ideas. This can be due to the demands of different languages, the need to work around cultural issues, or the fundamental limitations of the interpretation process. Warn spokespeople who may see their speeches or Q&A back-translated into English that what they are reading has been translated twice, and may not exactly reflect what they remember. Although interpretation is inexact, you do have the right to demand accuracy. Don’t work with an interpreter who is error prone or introduces their own bias or ideas into interpretation. But also do what you can to make the interpreter successful. Don't daisy-chain interpreters People sometimes want to do this when they can't find just the interpreter they need in China. If they can't find a Korean-to-English interpreter here, they consider using a Korean-to-Mandarin interpreter and then a Mandarin-to-English interpreter. In this situation you'd be better off flying somebody in from Korea, or wherever. It will be worth the money. Your event will be an order of magnitude less awkward and your interpretation more accurate. You ever play "telephone"? Never assume the audience doesn’t speak your language Just because you are working with interpreters don’t assume no one in the audience speaks English. Many Chinese people, especially in professional circles, understand some English. They may understand it much better than they can speak it. Even when working with an interpreter, assume the audience understands you. Have a local staff member vet your English speech or presentation for cultural appropriateness beforehand, and don’t assume an interpreter will correct problems. Review interpretation after an event and see what problems need to be addressed next time After working with interpreters, sit down with your local staff and the interpreters as well if possible and review the delivery for any problems or pitfalls that should be addressed in future. If local staff members complain about interpretation, make them be specific about their complaints. Complaining about interpreters is a favorite sport since the quality of interpretation is a rather subjective thing. Learn to differentiate real problems --issues of substance or accuracy-- from disagreements over style or word-choice. Blaming the interpreter is not an acceptable PR defense Unless you want to accuse your own PR staff or (gulp) agency of incompetence in the process. A well prepared interpreter should not cause you PR problems. If you are dealing with sensitive information, such as financial or crisis situations, pre-event preparation should be appropriately thorough and your own Chinese-speaking staff should monitor interpretation for accuracy during the event and intervene if clarification is necessary. simultaneous interpreter, consecutive interpreterA conference interpreter is normally a simultaneous interpreter. In China, the official language is Mandarin. Therefore, normally, a Mandarin Chinese interpreter is required to do the interpretation work. As more and more international conferences to be held in China, the demand for a conference interpreter increases in China. A Brief History of InterpretationAt the time the course was founded, conference interpreter training was still in its infancy with the first simultaneous interpretation having been used after World War II at the Nuremburg Trials (English, French, Russian and German). In the interwar years consecutive interpretation alone was provided at International gatherings, such as at meetings of the League of Nations in Geneva where English and French were used. The first interpreters were not trained but entered the profession on the strength of their mastery of languages, prodigious memory, and their impressively broad cultural background. Some of the legendary figures of the world of interpreting include Jean HERBERT, André KAMINKER and Prince Constantin ANDRONIKOF, who was personal interpreter to Général de Gaulle and one of the founders of AIIC, which was established in 1953. With the setting up of international and European organizations (United Nations-1945, Council of Europe-1949, European Community-1957) there was a growing need for a much larger number of trained professionals. To meet this continuing challenge, the course has expanded and now encompasses the languages of the European Union including accession countries and the UN family. What is Conference Interpreting? There are two types of conference interpreting: consecutive and simultaneous. In consecutive interpreting the interpreter listens to the speaker, takes notes and renders the speech in the target language once the speaker has finished. In simultaneous interpreting the interpreter sits in a booth overlooking the meeting room. The speeches given are interpreted simultaneously and relayed to delegates by means of the sound equipment. Students normally work in small groups, but participants meet three times a week for whole group sessions. During some of these sessions students take it in turn to make 15-20 minute presentations in their active language which are interpreted by other students. Resource for companies looking to do business in ChinaThe process of reaching a decision whether to proceed with a business proposition can be difficult anywhere. In China physical distance and cultural differences make the process even more difficult and risky. So what is the answer?
Post WTO China is the world's biggest new market. Much of this massive opportunity lies as yet untapped, but any Western business seeking entry into this market faces profound cultural complexities. The most dangerous effect of this cultural complexity for the western businessperson is that it makes it very much more difficult to assess commercial and financial risk realistically. Of course the fundamental realities that drive a decision to proceed with a proposition are the same whatever the culture: the possible rewards must significantly outweigh the costs and the risks, and be realistically attainable. However, the process of deciding whether these conditions apply to a given potential deal is different in China and the West. The political parameters may be complicated, but they are relatively clear and navigable given readily available expert support. However, from a commercial perspective, businesspeople in each culture look for different kinds of 'signpost' when considering a possible business opportunity. This is partly because some types of data that are taken for granted in the West are not easily available (if they are available at all) in China, and partly because of different views as to what is crucial in establishing a business relationship. These differences can be a danger for the unwary Western businessperson. In Western to Western business the basic structure of this intelligence gathering process is clear. Much of it we simply take for granted as a natural part of our commercial culture - like the existence of audited and generally trustworthy accounts. Probably the most significant difference between doing business in the West and doing business in China lies in the role of 'relationship' in the mix. The West's regulatory system, its contractual framework supported by a powerful legal system, is so well developed that business could theoretically be initiated and conducted by telecommunication without the parties meeting physically at all. While few people would contemplate doing serious business without knowing the key people in the company they are dealing with, the regulatory structure in the West means the personal relationship can be less central to the mix. In China, it is impossible to do business without the development and maintenance of firm personal relationships. Where available and trustworthy information and enforceable contracts are not the basis of a business culture, personal relationships and trust have to be the essential bedrock for business dealings. For foreign companies looking to develop in the Chinese market, this can be a major problem. There are many consultancy companies and organisations that specialise in helping with cultural differences and making introductions and recommendations. But the fact remains that if you want to do business in China you have to go there personally, and you may have to meet up with and develop relationships with several companies and individuals before you find the right business partner. Once you have selected the business partner of your choice (usually several delicious, if expensive, banquets later), what you spent on all the equally expensive nights out with the non-selected potential partners is lost money. Additionally, most of the actual data you will have gathered on your prospective counter parties will have come from the counter parties themselves and may be scant and will be heavily edited. Is it possible to obtain reliable and comprehensive third party information and assessment of companies in China, which suits Western business demands for both reliable content and incisive and relevant analysis and assessment? If so, it would provide a firmer basis for decision making, and it would also cut some of the costs of developing business in China by eliminating inappropriate potential partners before having to spend time and money cultivating them. For some time now, all companies in the growing Chinese private sector with capital of RMB 5 million and above have been obliged by law to file their accounts and other corporate information (Directors, Shareholders, outline of activities etc) with the local provincial authorities. Technically these records are available for public inspection. However, there is no centralised 'Companies House', nor can you take copies or notes of papers in a company's file, and it is necessary to visit the relevant locations to view the files in the first place. And of course everything is in Chinese. However, there are organisations in China with increasingly sophisticated networks of contacts throughout the country, which can source this information on companies in China. In addition, some of them have the 'journalistic' skill and experience to identify and interview people in the Chinese companies, and also their suppliers and customers, to add to and sometimes correct the official data and produce a clear, accurate and rounded profile and analysis of a Chinese business. It is very difficult for foreigners to do this. Ideally, this locally sourced intelligence needs to be subjected to a more rigorously Western analysis and assessment, and the translation into English checked for misleading idiomatic inaccuracies. Close collaboration between Western and Chinese experts is key to this process. There are currently a number of companies, both Chinese and foreign, offering information on Chinese businesses. For the Chinese companies, the challenge is to appreciate that Western decision-makers place greater emphasis on objective analytical data than matters of relationship and commercial connection. For the Western companies offering information on Chinese companies, the primary problem is precisely that they rely on the existence of trustworthy publicly available data with which to feed their sophisticated analytical software systems. They are not geared to question their data gathering processes - indeed the cost of employing local researchers who would spend time supplementing and correcting officially sourced data would drive up the price of their products. Their products also tend to be structured to support one type of business decision (e.g. setting credit levels) and are not ideal for others (e.g. assessing joint-venture prospects). Inevitably, a new type of information provider will begin to appear, sensitive to the needs of its customer base and with access to the best available information locally sourced in China. Its hallmark will be a careful combination of high quality local Chinese research with experienced Western company analytical expertise. With this type of service, reaching the point of optimum intelligence as the basis for a sound business decision will become a safer, simpler and more cost-effective matter. 企业在做国外定单时的误区随着近几年企业的发展,有几个国外的客户,已经不是大型企业的专利了,越来越多的小型企业也已经开始通过和外贸公司或者自己直接和国外公司驻中国的办事处进行联系,但不管通过什么渠道,目的都是想开拓国外市场。但是由于一些小型企业，也包括一些中型企业，在这方面还是略显经验不足，在前期联系到最终合作过程中都存在一些问题，有相当一部分都是在认识上有误区：
1.首先是用人问题，一些小型企业有外单，但是并不多，考虑雇佣一个翻译人员费用比较高，再说活儿也不多，工资低的要么没人肯来，要么不能胜任。 2.有国外客户来厂考察工厂生产能力时，一些中小企业，并没有自己的口译人员可以和外国客人直接交流，很多企业的老板认为，每次只要外商来都是自己带着翻译来的，这也是个很大的误区，甭管这个随行的翻译人员是外贸公司的也好，还是就是国外公司的职员也好，有一点是肯定的，那就是他一定代表的是他自己所在公司的利益，而不是我们企业的利益，至于人家的翻译怎么和外商谈的，我们都一无所知，况且，他们所带的那些翻译对于我们企业中一些专业性的术语，也是不知如何翻译。周围的一些很知名的企业，竟然白白的养着两个只能笔译的所谓的翻译人员，一接外商的电话，或者外商一来就张不开嘴了，这样还何谈交流啊，沟通上都有障碍，那恐怕做起来也比较棘手了。所以，必须要找一个能代表自己公司利益和形象的人员，要是外商来了看到你们公司没有一个可以和他交流的人员，恐怕，在公司实力评分上会大打折扣吧。但外商也不是天天有，或许只是一年才来几次，所以找一个按天结算的口译人员是首选。 3.不同国家的国外客户在产品质量要求上也是有很大差别的，众所周知，外单要求严格，但是苛刻是一方面，他们并不过分，产品并没有完美的，一点瑕疵也没有是不可能的，但是，可以通过翻译公司和客户进行交流，从而了解，到什么程度上是可以接受的，我们就可以按照这个标准进行生产. Interpreter job descriptionInterpreters convert spoken statements from one language to another in a range of settings. Interpreting involves listening to, understanding and memorising content, then reproducing statements, questions and speeches in a different language. This is usually from another language into the mother tongue on a one or two-way basis. Researching language-specific vocabulary and terminology forms a part of the role. Interpreters facilitate effective communication between clients at:
This is a rewarding but demanding role that requires accuracy, quick thinking and an excellent grasp of sector-specific language and jargon. Typical work activities There are two main forms of interpreting:
The following work activities are common to both forms of interpreting:
Other forms of interpreting include:
Import agents and customs brokersSelecting a talented import agent can be the key in helping a company advance its import operation. Companies most often have two options when importing products. First, hire an import agent (indirect channel). Or, second, import directly from the supplier or producer of the product (direct channel). For most companies, especially small ones option number one is the most preferred. In an era where we have numerous suppliers and producers for a single product, the service offered by an import agent becomes invaluable. An import agent will not only provide your company access to several suppliers or producers, but it will also help your company during price negotiation, as well as arrange transportation and insurance, logistics support and help to handle the return of damaged and rejected goods. Some import agents also attend trade shows on a company’s behalf that can save a company time and other resources. Many import agents also have established foreign offices that are familiar with local cultures and business practices, including a program in place to ensure quality products are delivered to the importer. To help your company select the best import agent, consider the following:
One of the major concerns for import agents is that the buyer may try to bypass the agent on future transactions, and this is a legitimate concern. Your company must unconditionally assure that the import agent will be compensated for the value that the agent adds to the transaction. If trust and a strong relationship is established that fear will not be justified. Assuming that you have identified a knowledgeable import agent to help you find the right product, and a supplier that will supply your company with a quality product at the right price, the next step is to identify a customs house broker (CHB) who will be responsible to help your company clear customs. CHB are individuals or private companies that are regulated by customs to assist importers and exporters to clear goods through customs. The CHB must be knowledgeable in clearing goods for the type of product and the country or region that you are prepared to import from. Some CHB’s specialize on specific industry or region. Others assist importers clear customs in variety of industries. To facilitate and reduce customs clearance time from days to hours, CHBs use Customs Automated Commercial System (ACS) or Automated Broker Interface (ABI). ACS or ABI are designed to receive and process entry documents and provides cargo disposition information. Services offered by CHB include filing and complying with the following major customs requirements. Entry: The process of filing customs documents at the port of entry to get the good released from customs. Admissibility: Process of complying with other Federal Government agencies (example: Department of Agriculture) and including whether the shipment contains products or articles that are prohibited and that the invoice presented is correct that no shortage or overage exists. Classification. Using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) which is a system adopted by most commercial countries of the world. HTS is classification of manufactured products that are sold in the world according to an agreed-upon numerical system. Valuation: The appraisal of the value of imported goods by customs officials for purposes of determining the amount of duty payable in the importing country. Rate of Duty: The determining factor that is used to assess duties rate. Duty rate could be calculated on ad-valorem , or specific or compound duty. Ad-valorem is a method when a percentage of transaction value is used. Specific duty is based on per unit or item. Compound duty is hybrid of ad-valorem and specific duty. In addition to Customs clearance some CHB’s also provide the following services: Carrier and routing informationgovernment licensing and import quota information, warehouse and distribution services, customs bonds, insurance assistance and hazardous materials compliance. Whether you work with a competent agent and/or CHB, make sure that you are actively involved in every detail of the transaction to avoid surprises, after all, you will be ultimately responsible for any legal and financial issues that might arise. Sourcing Stories: Dinners in China mean more than mere entertainmentI like to think that courtesy is more about your attitude than what you know. Even if you don't get all the nuances exactly right, or make mistakes, a kind spirit and willingness to try something new will always serve you well as a gracious guest during any business dinner in China. For many westerners, it is hard to slow down for the longer style of customer entertainment in China. The notion of a 'power breakfast' or 'working lunch' is not common here. Dinner is a place where business is discussed, but it is typically secondary to the enjoyment of the meal and getting to know each other better. I have found these meals have a way of slowing things down and helping to decompress from a busy day of work in the factory. A dinner with the factory management can often distill what really happened that day, as well as what needs to happen later in your relationship. A lot of times, you may learn business details at dinner that you never find out in the factory office. It's a place where you can measure each other in a different way. Often, for example, you may meet new people who are friends of the factory or relatives running other factories that are an important part of your local area's production network of suppliers who can help you later on. Remember your hosts are probably just as worried as you are about doing something discourteous. If you are at ease during dinner, it will go long way to helping your host become more comfortable too. Whether you are just getting acquainted, working to together on a production run or celebrating an achievement, building a deeper personal bond at dinner will always benefit you and your business associates. Depending on what region of the country you are in, and how formal the dinner arrangements are, you will find considerable variety in what to do at dinner. Still, you can expect to find a few common formalities and courtesies that are commonly observed. When going to the restaurant, you will often find yourself in a private dining room and you will not be seated in the general serving area. This is a show of respect for you as a guest. As a guest, you may be asked to sit prominently at the table in the so-called "honor seat" Usually, this seat is facing the door of the dining room. Your back will be to the wall or window of the room as a show of courtesy and respect. Sometimes, you might note that one of the napkins is folded differently than the others; this designates who is paying for the dinner. Napkins will typically be placed beneath your plate and then draped onto your lap from the table. Generally, the courses are: cold dishes, followed by the hot soups, vegetables, meat and fish dishes, followed by rice or noodles if more food is desired. Finally, a fruit selection might be served at the end of the meal. At the start of each course, as the guest, everyone will be waiting for you to taste something before others begin, so don't be shy. It is more polite to try a little bit of everything, even in small portions. If you find something you do not like, just leave it on your plate and move on to what you do like. You get extra points for using your more adventurous tastes when dining out, and, typically, there are more good surprises than bad. Toasting with drinks can be a random free-for-all, or it can be a very formal circle of toasting where the guest will toast those at the table working alternately from right to left. Toasting may also move around the table where you are toasted by your host and then shortly after you will toast that person back before moving on to the next person. After the toast, especially if you have finished your drink in the toast, you may see your host gesturing back toward you holding the empty glass with both hands; you should do the same back as a way of ending the toast. Group toasting is often done by simple clinking your glass on the table, and then raising it with both hands in a toasting gesture. Regardless of where you find yourself in China, dinner should be fun and a chance to relax for a few minutes from the cares of the day. More often than not, it is one of the best places to build the foundations for your relationship with your factory. --sourcing agent in Guangzhou China
Business Interpreter & Assistant, Sourcing & Purchasing AssistantPerhaps you heard so much about business opportunities in China but have no idea how and where to start? Due to language and cultural difference, it may be difficult for you to travel in China or to do business in China, The choice of a good interpreter/assistant may be one of the most important choices you make when conducting business in China.you need an experienced and professional business interpreter, sourcing & purchasing assistant, When you come to China, especially to attend the Trade show or to visit your supplier, you might need some assistance to break down that language barrier between you and the person you are negotiating with for best result. 1. Trade Shows & Exhibitions 2. General Business Meetings 3. Site Interpretation 4. Presentations 5. Interviews & Training Programs 6. Factory Visit 7. Negotiations getting started as a translatorA reader recently asked: "What is a way to get into translation without becoming certified? Do translators have apprentices? I would love to get into the business without having to get another degree or take classes, if possible... Any tips on where to begin a venture in freelance translation?" I'll give answers and leave the rest to other readers. A simple, short answer is that any person with the necessary skills--wherever or however acquired--can call themselves a translator and start charging clients for their work. Their success will depend largely on the quality of their work, though also to some degree on their responsiveness, business sense, price, tools, and other factors. That said, I want to stress the necessary part of "necessary skills". Too many people (witness my entries on bad translations) think they are capable of quality work when they simply and obviously are not. Study and preparation are always good ideas. Do translators have apprentices? Well, some would be happy to talk to you about the business, but few are so overloaded with work that they are looking for a helper. An apprentice is a competing freelancer. Islam in ChinaThe Ancient Record of the Tang Dynasty describes a landmark visit to China by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra), one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (s) in 650 C.E. This event is considered to be the birth of Islam in China. The Chinese emperor Yung-Wei respected the teachings of Islam and considered it to be compatible with the teachings of Confucius. To show his admiration for Islam, the emperor approved the establishment of China's first mosque at Ch'ang-an. That mosque still stands today after fourteen centuries. Muslims virtually dominated the import/export business in China during Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279 CE). The office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim during this period. During the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 CE), a period considered to be the golden age of Islam in China, Muslims fully integrated into Han society by adopting their name and some customs while retaining their Islamic mode of dress and dietary restrictions. Anti-Muslim sentiments took root in China during the Ch'ing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 CE), which was established by Manchus who were a minority in China. Muslims in China number more than 35 million, according to unofficial counts. They represent ten distinct ethnic groups. The largest are the Chinese Hui, who comprise over half of China's Muslim population. The largest of Turkic groups are the Uygurs who are most populous in the province of Xinjiang, where they were once an overwhelming majority.] Although it may come as some surprise, Islam has survived in China for over 1300 [1400] years. It has done so despite such upheavals as the Cultural Revolution as well as regimes hostile to it. Even though there are only sparse records of the event in Arab history, a brief one in Chinese history, The Ancient Record of the Tang Dynasty describes a landmark visit to China by an emissary from Arabia in the seventh century. Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra), one of the companions of Prophet [Muhammad (s)], led the delegation [in 650 C.E.], which brought gifts as well as the belief system of Islam to China. According to the traditions of Chinese Muslims, this event is considered to be the birth of Islam in China. Although the emperor of the time, Yung-Wei, found Islam to be a bit too restrictive for his taste, he respected its teachings and considered it to be compatible with the teachings of Confucius. For this reason, he gave Saad complete freedom to propagate the faith among his people. To show his admiration for Islam, the emperor ordered the establishment of China's first mosque at Ch'ang-an. The mosque still stands today, after thirteen [fourteen] centuries. As time passed, relations between the Chinese and the Muslim heartland continued to improve. Many Muslim businessmen, visitors, and traders began to come to China for commercial and religious reasons. [Arabs had already established trade in the area before Prophet Muhammad (s).] The Umayyads and Abbasids sent six delegations to China, all of which were warmly received by the Chinese. The Muslims who immigrated to China eventually began to have a great economic impact and influence on the country. They virtually dominated the import/export business by the time of the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279 CE). Indeed, the office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim during this period. In spite of the economic successes the Muslims enjoyed during these and later times, they were recognized as being fair, law-abiding, and self-disciplined. Thus, there is no record of appreciable anti-Muslim sentiment on the part of the Han (Chinese) people. An interesting example of this synthesis by Chinese Muslims was the process by which their names changed. Many Muslims who married Han women simply took on the name of the wife. Others took the Chinese surnames of Mo, Mai, and Mu - names adopted by Muslims who had the names Muhammad, Mustafa, and Masoud. Still others who could find no Chinese surname similar to their own adopted the Chinese character that most closely resembled their name - Ha for Hasan, Hu for Hussein, or Sai for Said, and so on. The rise of the Ch'ing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 CE), though, changed this. The Ch'ing were Manchu (not Han) and were a minority in China. They employed tactics of divide-and-conquer to keep the Muslims, Han, Tibetans, and Mongolians in struggles against one another. In particular, they were responsible for inciting anti-Muslim sentiment throughout China, and used Han soldiers to suppress the Muslim regions of the country. When the Manchu Dynasty fell in 1911, the Republic of China was established by Sun Yat Sen, who immediately proclaimed that the country belonged equally to the Han, Hui (Muslim), Man (Manchu), Meng (Mongol), and the Tsang (Tibetan) peoples. His policies led to some improvement in relations among these groups. After Mao Zedong's revolution in 1948 and the beginning of communist rule in China, the Muslims, as well as other ethnic minorities found themselves once again oppressed. They actively struggled against communists before and after the revolution. In fact, in 1953, the Muslims revolted twice in an effort to establish an independent Islamic state [in regions where Muslims were an overwhelming majority]. These revolts were brutally suppressed by Chinese military force followed by the liberal use of anti-Muslim propaganda. Today, the Muslims of China number some 20 million, according to unofficial counts. The government census of 1982, however, put the number much lower, at 15 million. These Muslims represent ten distinct ethnic groups. The largest are the Chinese Hui, who comprise over half of China's Muslim population and are scattered throughout all of China. There is also a high concentration of Hui in the province of Ningsha in the north. The Uygurs are most populous in the province of Xinjiang, where they make up some 60% of the total population. This relatively small percentage is due to the massive influx of non-Muslim Chinese into the province in recent times, a situation that has brought problems of assimilation and raised concerns about the de-Islamization of one of China's predominantly Muslim regions. [Muslims in Central Asia, under the USSR, were subjected to a similar population management, Russification of Central Asia]. Muslims, and the Uygur in particular, suffered tremendously under the regime of Mao Zedong and his "Cultural Revolution." During the communist reign of terror, there was a violent campaign to eradicate all traces of Islam and of the ethnic identity of all non-Chinese. The Uygur language, which had for centuries used Arabic script, was forced to adopt the Latin alphabet. The Uygurs, as with most believing Muslims, were subjected to forced labor in the some 30,000 communes set up in the predominantly Muslim provinces. The imams and akhunds were singled out for humiliating punishments and tortures....[and were forced to] tend to pig farms, which were sometimes kept in government-closed mosques. Under the pretext of unification of national education, Islamic schools were closed and their students transferred to other schools which taught only Marxism and Maoism. Other outrages included the closing of over 29,000 mosques, the widespread torture of imams, and executions of over 360,000 Muslims. Since the death of Mao and the end of his hard-line Marxist outlook nearly fifteen years ago, the communist government has greatly liberalized its policies toward Islam and Muslims. And despite the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, Islam has continued to thrive in China. Today the campaign for assimilation started during the Cultural Revolution has slowed somewhat and the Turkic Muslims have greater freedom to express their cultural identity. The government has, for instance, allowed the reinstatement of the Arabic alphabet for use with the Uygur language. There is, however, continued discrimination against the Turkic Muslims by the immigrant Chinese (favored by the government) who have settled in the far western province of Xinjiang. This immigration has posed a problem as Han Chinese are migrating to Muslim areas at the rate of 200,000 a year. In many places where Muslims once were a majority, they are now a minority. There has been an increased upsurge in Islamic expression in China, and many nationwide Islamic associations have been organized to coordinate inter-ethnic activities among Muslims. Islamic literature can be found quite easily and there are currently some eight different translations of the Qur'an in the Chinese language as well as translations in Uygur and the other Turkic languages. The Muslims of China have also been given almost unrestricted allowance to make the Hajj to Mecca [Reflections from the Hajj]. In 1986 there were some 2,300 Chinese Muslims at Hajj. (Compared to the 30 Soviet Muslims allowed to make the same pilgrimage, this number seems quite generous, considering that the Soviet Muslim population outnumbers China's by nearly four times). CHINA'S ISLAMIC CONNECTION Muslims take great pride in citing a hadith that says "seek knowledge even it it is in China." It points to the importance of seeking knowledge, even if it meant traveling as far away as China. China, which has been close to Muslim hearts for over 1400 years, is home to millions of Muslims. Islam's contact with China began during the caliphate of 'Uthman ibn Affan (Allayhi Rahma, ra), the third caliph. After triumphing over the Byzantine, Romans and the Persians, 'Uthman ibn Affan, dispatched a deputation to China in 29 AH (650 C.E., Eighteen years after the Prophet's death), under the leadership by Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqaas (Allayhi Rahma), Prophet Muhammad's (Salla Allahu wa Allahai wa Sallam, pbuh) maternal uncle, inviting the Chinese emperor to embrace Islam. The Muslim mission built China's first mosque, the magnificent Canton city mosque known to this day as the 'Memorial Mosque.' Over the years Muslim trading activity through traders and merchant naval movements led many to settle in China. One of the first Muslim settlements in China was established in port city of Cheng Aan during the era of the Tang dynasty. The Muslim presence was resented by the disbelievers. However, their scorn was replaced by respect when their provocation met with their resounding defeat at the hand of a small Muslim force in 133 A.H. (751 C.E.) This victory eventually led to control over the entire Central Asia, and in 138 A.H. (756 C.E.), Caliph Mansur posted a unit of 4,000 troops to consolidate the Muslim influence. These victories opened the doors of China for the Muslims to spread and propagate the faith. Over the years, many Muslims settled in China and they married Chinese women. They established mosques, schools and madrasas. Students from as far as Russia and India would attend these madrasas. It is reported that in the 1790's, there was as many as 30,000 Islamic students, and the city of Bukhara, - the birthplace of Imam Bukhari, one of the foremost compilers of hadith - which was then part of China, came to be known as the "Pillar of Islam." The early Muslims in China faced oppression, and the tyrannical Manchu dynasty (1644-191l) was the harshest era. During this period, five wars were waged against the Muslims: Lanchu (1820-28), Che Kanio (1830), Sinkiang (l847), Yunan (1857) and Shansi (1861). The Manchus slaughtered Muslims and razed mosques. Led by determined leaders like Yaqoob Beg (l820-77), Muslims liberated the whole of Turkestan and set up an Islamic state that lasted from 1867 to 1877. The new Turkic-Chinese Muslim power in Central Asia, comprising of the provinces of Yunan, Szechawan, Shensi and Kansum, was seen with anxiety by the Russians and the British who had colonial designs of their own. After the Communist takeover in 1949, Mao Zedung set about dividing the Muslims into nationalities so they would identify with their 'ethnic' origin and not their 'Muslim' identity. According to population statistics of 1936, the then Kuomingtang Republic of China had an estimated 48,104,240 Muslims. After the introduction of Mao's policies, this number was reduced to ten million. No official Chinese explanation has ever been given for this apparent disappearance of around 38 million Muslims. The mass extermination and destruction of the Muslims of China pales before the much publicized plight of a handful of Tibetan monks or the democrats of Tiannaman Square. Aside from the physical annihilation, Muslims have been subjected to a constant attack on their Islamic identity especially during the so-called Cultural Revolution (1966-76). For instance, posters which appeared in Peking (later to be called Beijing) in 1966, openly called for the abolition of Islamic practices. Muslims were also barred from learning their written language which incorporated the Arabic script and was influenced by Arabic, Turkish and Farsi. This change was critical as it distanced Muslims from the Arabic language, the language of the Qur'an and their Islamic aspirations. During this era many Mosques were closed down and waqf properties were confiscated. Festivals in GuangzhouA well-known city in Guangdong province, Guangzhou boasts a rich variety of folk customs. On the basis of celebrating traditional festivals, it has developed 8 events with strong local flavors. All these add color to the beautiful "Flower City" of Guangzhou. There exist a number of folk customs at the end of the year as eating Reunification Meal, boiling rice dumplings, lantern show, flower fair strolling, bonus bag presenting, peach flower planting, etc. Others include the grave cleaning, dragon boat competition, moon cake enjoyment during the Mid Autumn Festival, mountain climbing on the double Ninth Day. etc. In daily life, people will find the following customs: morning tea, midnight refreshments, sugar water drink, liangcha, over boiled soup, and the chafing dish,etc. For amusement, people can enjoy lion dance, turtle dance, flower festival, chrysanthemum festival, flowery boat and plain lantern decoration. Lion Dance Lion dance is a folk recreational and sporting activity, which imitates the movement of lions. On festival days, there usually is a parade of lion dances with the dancers holding the lion head up and down either to show the lion's roar or its native charm to the strong rhythm of gongs and drums. By the end of Ming Dynasty and at the beginning of Qing dynasty (17th century), lion dance had become popular in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. Lion head is often made of paper and lion body of cloth. One dancer holds the lion head in front, his assistant holds the lion body following him, and another dancer wearing a big Buddha mask teasing the lion to jump according to the rhythm of the music. The image of lion differs between the south and the north. That of Guangzhou's lion is more symbolic, showing different gestures as sleeping, jumping, climbing, roaring, welcoming guests, etc. Of the south lion style, there are subdivisions as the Heshan Shape and Foshan Shape as well as the Black and the Red. Nowadys, lion dance is most popular during the Spring Festival in Guangzhou.Of all folk art performance groups, Guangzhou Workers' Awakening Lion Association is the most famous, often taking the lead on grand occasions of lion dances to welcome the spring. Lantern Festival As everywhere in China, Lantern Festival in Guangzhou takes place on 5th of the first lunar month. As early as in the southern Han period, lanterns were lit all night in the Changshou Temple to usher in a coming harvest year and compete against the moonlight. Now on the festival all public places are decorated with lanterns, and some are even graced with exhibitions of flowers, fruit pots, fine arts and photography in addition to lantern riddles. Citizens hang lanterns at home while children play lanterns on streets in celebration of the festival. There are varieties of lanterns, mainly the palace lantern, silk lantern, gauze lantern, flower and fruit lantern. dragon lantern and lantern tower, the last two of which are the large ones with a few dozens of lanterns joined together to make a lantern parade. Double-ninth Day Climbing High on the Double Ninth Day is a traditional custom observed every year on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. It was meant to be an auspicious activity. People are used to climbing high, cleaning tombs, and flying kites. Since 1970s, tomb cleaning and kite flying have gradually given way to climbing. Baiyun and Yuexiu mountains are the prime choice of the climbers who are as many as 200,000 every year. Some young people would even do the night climbing on the eve of the day in order to enjoy the sunrise in the next morning Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival in Guangzhou dates back a thousand years ago at least, held on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year. It had been a royal sport until the Ming and Qing Dynasties, when it became a popular one in Guangzhou. In the old days, dragon boat was very large, said to be over 30 meters long and over 2 meters high. There sat 6 to 7 people on the neck and the forehead, 12 to 14 people on the central pavilion and no less than 70 to 80 people to row or to beat drums and gongs. Some boat even had 15-meter long mast for about 80 performers to play 50 kinds of acrobatic items on. Nowadays, dragon boat is small in size and more sporty. Guangdong Dragon Boat Festival dominates the celebration activities on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. It has become an international event since1995, held once a year on the beautiful Pear river. Participants include several dozen dragon boats from all over China and other countries as the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore in addition to Local ones of Guangzhou. Chinese &Western cultures
China is currently in want of about a million professional interpretersChinanews, Beijing, Oct.23 – China is currently in want of about a million professional interpreters, but there are only 200 graduates from interpreters training class every year. According to Beijing Morning Post, China is in great demand of interpreters mainly due to the development of the foreign trade and communication. Quite a few people experienced such embarrassment in which they drew a blank from a lecture given by foreign experts because of the poor simultaneous interpretation. Wang Lifei, a professor from University of International Business and Economics, pointed out that only a few universities provide professional interpretation training, such as Beijing Foreign Studies University, Shanghai Foreign Studies University, and University of International Business and Economics, and only 200 professional interpreters graduate every year. It is learned that University of International Business and Economics and the Interpretation Division of the European Union have jointly set up a Sino-EU Interpreter Training Centre in China based on a cooperation agreement. 35岁前应该做好的十件事35岁是青春的后期，35岁以后是收获的季节，如果你没有资格说这句话，你将会憎恨自己。所以在35岁以前，在烂漫蓬勃的青春年华里，你最好把下面十件事做好。 第一，学会本行业所需要的一切知识并有所发展。已故零件大王布鲁丹在他35岁时，已经成为零件行业的领袖，并且组建了年收入达千万美元的海湾与西部工业公司。每个人在年轻时都可能有过彻夜不眠、刻苦攻读，这在20岁甚或30岁都没有问题，但到了35岁，就不应该再为学习基本技能而大伤脑筋了。35岁之前是一个人从事原始积累的阶段，35岁之后就应该勃发了。
第二，养成个人风格。在35岁以前，找出你所喜欢的，不论是衣着或是爱好，哪怕是与众不同的小习惯也好。20岁、30岁时你可以不断尝试、不断改变，但是到了35岁，你便要明确地建立个人风格。一位男士或女士在事业中途改变自己的形象，就会让人觉得很不可靠。你喜欢穿西装吗？好！就把西装当作你的商标吧！办公桌上摆些鲜花会令你工作更有效率吗？那就每天都摆些鲜花吧！ 第三，在感情生活方面平和安定。在攀登事业的高峰时，如果私人生活不愉快，陷入感情危机，对你会产生很大的干扰，甚至会逐渐令你对别的事物失去兴趣。那些在35岁之前私人生活已经平和安定的人，一般都比生活动荡不安的人有更大的机会获得成功。因此，如果你想结束一段没有结果的恋情，或者你想和女友结婚，那就赶快行动吧，免得把问题拖到生命的第35个春秋。在35岁以后，你应该专注地看着你对事业的投资开始获利。 第四，明白自己的短处。承认有些事情你的确做不好，或者不愿做。如果你讨厌数字而喜欢创作，那就不要因为待遇高或顺从别人的期望而强迫自己做数字工作。在35岁之前，一定要投入你所喜爱、所擅长的那种工作。否则，35岁之后必然会有一段郁郁不乐的日子。而且，真正的成功可能因为活力的消退而丧失。 第五，知道自己的长处。你应该知道自己擅长什么，并且清楚你所喜欢做而又做得比别人好的事情。不管你目前担任什么样的角色，知道自己的长处对成功都很重要。 第六，储备辞职另谋生路的钱。在这个多变的职业世界里，你也许不会永远在一个地方工作，或者永远在一个位置上淋漓尽致地发挥自己，当你感到无法施展时，你很可能会想到辞职，或者开辟第二职业，如果你事先储蓄了足够的钱，你便有了一个安全的后盾。 第七，建立人际关系网。如果到了35岁你仍未建立起牢固的人际关系网，那你就有麻烦了。这个人际关系网包括你的朋友、亲人，最低限度包括所有可以互相帮助的人。这些人有的是你的同事，有的受过你的恩惠，有的你倾听过他们的问题，有的你和他有着相同的爱好。人际关系网不是一朝一夕就能建立起来的，它需要几年甚至十几年的培养。一个人在事业上、生活上的成功其实如同一个政党的成功，你要有许多人散布在适当的地方，你可以依赖他们，他们也可以依赖你。 第八，学会授权他人。许多人不肯或不能这样做，因此始终被钉在从属的职位上。授权他人是成功的一半，一个事无巨细，不能将工作授权别人的人，注定会遇到极大的障碍。到了35岁，你最好已成为这方面的专家。换言之，你懂得挑选合适的人并信任他们。 第九，学会在什么时候三缄其口。因说话不小心而自毁前程的人，比因为任何其他原因丧失成功的人都多。要学会保持沉默而且看起来机智--别人自然以为你知道的比实际还多。别讲别人的闲话，别谈论你自己的大计，守口如瓶所赢得的声誉，远比讲人闲话所带来的东西更加珍贵。你在事业上越成功，这一点就越重要。 第十，对人要忠诚。如果你到了35岁仍未能建立起坚如磐石的忠诚信誉，这一缺点将会困扰你一生。不忠诚的恶名必然会使你在事业上到处不受欢迎。你不能靠暗箭伤人爬到事业的顶峰，而要靠在早期树立起来的真诚刚直和不可动摇的声誉。35岁以前，忠诚只是投资；35岁以后，你会作为一个可以信赖的人收到忠诚的回报 如何提高英语口译水平
口译模式会议口译（conference interpreting）是一种为跨语言、跨文化交流服务的专门职业，处于各种口译的专业高端。会议口译包含交替传译和同声传译两种口译模式。
交替传译（consecutive interpreting）- 口译员坐在会议室里，一面听源语讲话，一面记笔记。当讲者发言结束或停下来等候传译的时候，口译员用清楚、自然的目的语，准确、完整地重新表达源语发言的全部信息内容，就像自己在演讲一样。会议口译中的交替传译要求口译员能够听取长达五至十分钟连续不断的讲话，并运用良好的演讲技巧，完整、准确地译出其全部内容。 同声传译（simultaneous interpreting）- 口译员利用专门的同声传译设备，坐在隔音的同传室（俗称“箱子”）里，一面通过耳机收听源语发言人连续不断的讲话，一面几乎同步地对着话筒把讲话人所表达的全部信息内容准确、完整地传译成目的语，其译语输出通过话筒输送。需要传译服务的与会者，可以通过接收装置，调到自己所需的语言频道，从耳机中收听相应的译语输出。这一专门职业虽然叫做“会议口译”，但是除了广泛应用于国际会议之外，也广泛应用于外交外事、会晤谈判、商务活动、新闻传媒、培训授课、电视广播、国际仲裁等诸多领域。就两种口译模式的使用情况而言，交替传译多用于规模较小且只涉及两种工作语言的场合，如外交会晤、双边谈判、访问考察、小范围磋商、记者采访、司法和准司法程序、宴会致词、新闻发布会，以及一些小型研讨会等。而同声传译，由于其具有不占用会议时间的优势，已发展成为会议口译中最常用的模式，广泛应用于各种国际场合。几乎所有正式的国际多语言会议以及国际组织（如联合国和欧盟）都采用了同传作为标准口译模式。 无论交替传译还是同声传译，其目的均在于让使用不同语言的交际各方能够实现清晰无障碍的沟通交流。会议口译层次上的交替传译和同声传译并没有高低难易之分，两种口译模式相辅相成，且其功能以及对质量的要求是相同的。 陪同翻译相对于同声传译和交替传译要求相对较低,一般只需要日常的交流,当然有时候会涉及一些商务谈判的内容. +++interpreters.net.cn is taken over by interpreter.chn.biz interpreter in GuangzhouChinese Mandarin Translators and Interpreters based in China tradeservice.chn.bizImport from China, buying services:
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